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A&O Shearman retains 76% of spring 2026 qualifiers

updated on 20 January 2026

Reading time: one minute

A&O Shearman has confirmed that 32 of its 42 spring 2026 qualifying trainees will remain at the firm, posting a retention rate of 76%.

The magic circle law firm said that 40 trainees put themselves forward for newly qualified (NQ) roles, with 35 receiving offers and joining the firm on permanent contracts, while three declined their offers.

The figures add to a pattern of fluctuating retention rates since the firms’ May 2024 merger, which created a larger-than-usual pipeline of qualifying trainees, according to Legal Cheek.

A&O Shearman recorded a retention rate of 66% in summer 2024, soon after the merger, with 37 of 56 trainees retained. The intake improved in February 2025, as 31 of 37 trainees were kept on, equating to an 84% retention rate. However, the figure dipped again earlier this year to 69%, with 37 of 54 candidates securing NQ roles.

Other firms that announced trainee retention rates late last year include:

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